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Washington State! Tell your legislator to oppose SB 6442!


Email your legislators now and tell them to oppose SB 6442!

SB 6442: Costs taxpayers more, increases bureaucracy, reduces your health CARE benefits! Don’t fall for it!

TAKE ACTION: Help stop this takeover now.

SB 6442 will cost taxpayers at least $45 MILLION in new costs, according to the state’s own figures!

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  • The state’s own report on the proposed K-12 health care takeover — it shows higher costs, fewer benefits and less competition!


WEA President Mary Lindquist testifies agains SB 6442, Jan. 26, 2012

WEA PRESIDENT MARY LINDQUIST AND WEA LOBBY TEAM IN OLYMPIA, JAN. 26

Senate Bill 6442 takes away your current health benefits and forces all K-12 employees into a new state bureaucracy that costs more, provides fewer benefits and limits our health care choices.

This legislation is costly, complicated and confusing all at the same time. Dozens of WEA members attended a recent legislative hearing to oppose the bill. But you can help defeat this bill without going to Olympia — email your legislators and tell them not to take over our health care!

Under SB 6442, all K-12 school employees, whether they live in Anacortes or Zillah, will be forced into the same health benefit plan – eliminating our ability to negotiate health plans at the local level.

This bill will cost taxpayers more, and it will cost US more as school employees at the same time it reduces our benefits and choices. For example, under SB 6442, school employees who work less than half time will no longer receive ANY health benefits through their jobs. This especially hurts classified education support professionals (ESP )such as bus drivers and paraprofessionals, many of whom are part-time workers.

“We belong to WEA, and we DO bargain for our part-time members,” said Debby Chandler, an ESP member from the Spokane School District.

In short, SB 6442 makes no sense. Help protect our health care from a state takeover – email your legislators and tell them what you think about SB 6442!

Senate Bill 6442 will cost taxpayers $45 million, expand bureaucracy, eliminate competition and reduce benefits

A state takeover of K-12 educators’ health benefit plans would provide no cost savings and will actually cost taxpayers at least $45 million, according to the state’s own fiscal note. SB 6442 and its companion bill, House Bill 2724, also will cost school employees more, reduce benefits and limit choices. It also eliminates local decision-making about educator health benefits. That’s why educators oppose Senate Bill 6442 and House Bill 2724. They would:

Impose higher costs:

  • Add more than $45 million in NEW taxpayer costs: Partial costs include $12 million for start up costs in 2011-13, plus $9.5 million for additional start up costs in fiscal year 2014. The ongoing cost is then estimated to be $7.1 million per year.
  • Requires an additional $25 million per year paid by employees through higher premiums and “point-of-service cost sharing” (higher fees).
  • Shift all future cost risks to school districts for costs above the state allocation.
  • Abandon a system that today costs less and provides more: Currently, the state pays $768 a month per full-time equivalent K-12 employee vs. $850 per full-time state employee, yet K-12 employees get coverage that is as good or better than what state employees receive.

Reduce benefits:

  • Require lower overall benefits to avoid immediate cost increases.
  • Wipe out health care coverage entirely for thousands of part-time employees who work less than half time.

Eliminate competition and expand state government:

  • Replace competition among plans school districts select from with a state monopoly that selects one carrier for all K-12 employees.
  • Add another costly function to the state bureaucracy at a time when vital funding for K-12 education and other services is being cut.
  • Health care funding should pay for benefits, not growth in state bureaucracy.
  • What is the evidence that state government can take over a private program, and perform as well or better at a lower cost?

Reward poor customer service:

  • The state Health Care Authority had a recent 9-month backlog in paying state employee health insurance claims.
  • Courts ruled against HCA for illegally barring some Medicaid patients from emergency room care.
  • Recent Seattle Times exposé highlighted how the agency’s cost-cutting practices were harming patients.
  • Adding over 100,000 enrollees to a K-12 program administered by the HCA would likely mean customer service problems for K-12 employees.
  • K-12 employees have had the option to enroll in the state employee health care plan since 1995, and less than one percent of the K-12 employees have made that choice.

SB 6442/HB 2724 is a plan based on higher costs, bigger government, less competition, and poor customer service.

There IS an alternative: House Bill 2666 and SB 6553 will help reduce health insurance costs for school employees with families by modifying local school district insurance pools. HB 2666 costs the state nothing, and it maintains local decision making.

TAKE ACTION: Help stop this takeover now.

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Support Senator Maria Cantwell for Re election


 
  
 
 
 
It was a 41-year battle for women to pass the 19th Amendment, affording us the universal right to vote. It took another 50 years for women to win a constitutionally guaranteed right to choose. And it wasn’t until a few short years ago that we passed legislation helping women like Lilly Ledbetter have a fair shot at getting equal pay.
 
It has taken women generations to secure the rights we enjoy today. And the extreme right wing in Congress wants to strip those rights away in the blink of an eye — whether it’s overturning Roe v. Wade or denying women health coverage for contraception.
 
The latest attack in the radical war on women is absolutely infuriating. Some Senate Republicans are set to OPPOSE extending the Violence Against Women Act — a law that helps survivors of brutal domestic violence start new, healthy lives. As I said on Hardball last week, the safety of millions of women depends on this and I will do everything in my power to see it reauthorized right away.
 
I have had enough. I will continue to speak out in the media and on the Senate floor until the right ends its ridiculous war on women — but I can’t do it alone. The first FEC filing deadline of the year is March 31st. So while all the pundits are watching, let’s prove that our grassroots organization is as powerful as ever, and standing strong for women’s rights.
 
 
Mitt Romney wants to “get rid of” Planned Parenthood under the guise of cutting spending. Rush Limbaugh unabashedly smears women who speak out on the issues. These are the ideological leaders of the modern right. And earlier this month, the right-wing controlled Arizona state House passed a law that would open the door for employers to fire female employees who seek contraceptive coverage.
 
Women have come a long way, but there’s more to do — and we can’t accomplish anything while politicians in Washington D.C. are determined to drag women’s rights back to the last millennium.
 
 
My mission in the U.S. Senate is to give a voice to those who don’t have one. With your help, I have no doubt that we can reach our $50,000 goal, and show pundits from one Washington to the other that our network stands for women’s health.
 
It’s supporters like you that will make the difference in this election.
 
Thanks for everything you do.
 
 
 
Maria
Black History

Congress:the Republican led House continues their assault on Americans – the Senate resume consideration of H.R.3606, the Capital Formation/IPO bill


featured photo by flossboss

the Senate Convened at 9:30amET March 21, 2012

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.3606, the Capital Formation/IPO bill.
  • The time from 2:30pm until 3:00pm will be as if in morning business to acknowledge the milestone reached by Senator Mikulski as the longest serving woman in Congress.

Following morning business (approx. 10:40am), the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.3606, the IPO bill, and immediately proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill.

Under the previous order, if cloture is invoked time would run as if cloture were invoked at 12:00 noon yesterday.

10:44am The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R.3606, the IPO bill; Invoked: 76-22

The following amendments are pending to H.R.3606, the Capital Formation/IPO bill:

The following amendments have been considered to H.R.3606, the Capital Formation/IPO bill:

The Reed (RI)-Landrieu-Levin amendment #1833 (substitute) and Cantwell amendment #1836 (Export Import Bank Reauthorization fell on a point of order that the amendments were not germane post-cloture.

Senator Reid then offered Merkley-Bennet et al amendment #1884 (crowdfunded securities) and Reed (RI) amendment #1931 (relating to the definition of the term “held of record”).

Under the previous order, the 30 hours of post-cloture debate time began counting as if cloture had been invoked at 12:00noon yesterday. If all time is used, cloture would expire at 6pm today, however, time may be yielded back and we could have 3 votes as early as 4pm.

Senator Durbin asked unanimous consent to pass Executive Calendar #319, S.1945, to permit the televising of Supreme Court proceedings. Senator Sessions then objected to the request.

Senator Sessions then asked unanimous consent to pass Executive Calendar #247, S.671, Finding Fugitive Sex Offenders Act, with a committee-reported amendment.

Senator Durbin then asked Senator Sessions to modify his request to pass S.671 and to include the following bills:

– Executive Calendar #246, S.1792, the Strengthening Investigations of Sex Offenders and Missing Children Act

– Executive Calendar #233, S.1793, the Investigative Assistant for Violent Crimes Act and

– Discharge Judiciary and Pass S.1669, the Dale Long Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act, with a substitute amendment

Senator Sessions objected to Senator Durbin’s modification; subsequently Senator Durbin objected to Senator Sessions’ original request.

At approximately 12:30pm on Thursday, March 21st, there will be a series of up to 7 roll call votes in relation to the following:

  • Reed amendment #1931 (regarding the definition of “held of record” to the Merkley amendment #1884 to H.R.3606
  • Merkley amendment #1884, (CROWDFUND Act) as amended, if amended
  • Passage of H.R.3606, as amended, if amended
  • Motion to invoke cloture on the Reid motion to concur in the House amendment to S.2038, the STOCK Act (if cloture is invoked, the motion to concur will be agreed to by unanimous consent)
  • Confirmation of Executive Calendar #441, the nomination of David Nuffer, of UT, to be US District Judge for the District of Utah
  • Confirmation of Executive Calendar #462, the nomination of Ronnie Abrams, of NY, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of New York
  • Confirmation of Executive Calendar #463, the nomination of Rudolph Contreras, of VA, to be US District Judge for the District of Columbia.

There will be 2 minutes of debate prior to the votes on the Reed amendment, the Merkley amendment, passage of H.R.3606 and confirmation of the Nuffer nomination; there will be 4 minutes of debate prior to the cloture vote on the motion to concur with respect to the STOCK Act. We expect to order all votes after the first vote be 10 minutes in duration on Thursday.

The filing deadline for all 2nd degree amendments to the Reid motion to concur in the House amendment to S.2038, the STOCK Act is 10:30am Thursday. If your Senator has a germane second degree amendment and would like to preserve his or her ability to offer, please send a signed copy of the amendment to the cloakroom prior to the deadline.

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Motion to invoke cloture on H.R.3606, the Capital Formation/IPO bill; Invoked: 75-22

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.403, to authorize testimony, document production, and legal representation in United States v. Richard F. “Dickie” Scruggs.

Discharged the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources from further consideration of H.R.306, Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act, and referred it to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

WRAP UP

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

————————————————————————————————————————————————-

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF March 21, 2012

  112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION 

-The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 22, 2012.9:42:16 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.9:42:02 P.M. -Mr. Gingrey (GA) moved that the House do now adjourn.8:45:29 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.8:44:59 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.8:44:07 P.M. -H.R. 5Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5 as unfinished business.8:43:57 P.M. -H.R. 5On motion to rise Agreed to by voice vote.8:43:44 P.M. -H.R. 5Mr. Smith (TX) moved that the Committee rise.3:06:46 P.M. -H.R. 5GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with six hours of general debate on H.R. 5.3:06:20 P.M. -H.R. 5The Speaker designated the Honorable Lynn A. Westmoreland to act as Chairman of the Committee.3:06:20 P.M. -H.R. 5House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 591 and Rule XVIII.3:05:26 P.M. -H.R. 5Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5 with 6 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 112-18 shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as original text for the purpose of amendment. The resolution waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended.3:05:21 P.M. -H.R. 5Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 591. H.R. 5 — “To improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system.”3:03:50 P.M. -On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 308 – 101, 3 Present (Roll no. 121).2:57:22 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the vote on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal which had been postponed from earlier in the day.2:57:21 P.M. -H.R. 886Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:57:20 P.M. -H.R. 886On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 – 2, 2 Present (Roll no. 120).2:49:59 P.M. -H. Res. 591Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:49:58 P.M. -H. Res. 591On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 233 – 182, 1 Present (Roll no. 119).2:41:03 P.M. -H. Res. 591On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 231 – 179, 1 Present (Roll no. 118).2:16:33 P.M. -H. Res. 591Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 591 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5) to improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system.”2:16:20 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on ordering the previous question to H. Res. 591 and on a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.2:15:00 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 21.1:48:56 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.1:48:02 P.M. -H. Res. 591POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 591, the Chair put the question on ordering the previoius question and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hastings (FL) demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.12:49:06 P.M. -H. Res. 591DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 591.12:49:00 P.M. -H. Res. 591Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 591 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5) to improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system.”12:48:16 P.M. -H.R. 886At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.12:41:35 P.M. -H.R. 886DEBATE – The House proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 886.12:41:00 P.M. -H.R. 886Mr. Stivers moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.12:40:00 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until later in the legislative day.12:39:52 P.M. -Mr. Nugent asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on March 22. Agreed to without objection.12:39:24 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 108Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.12:39:22 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 108On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.12:38:51 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 108Considered by unanimous consent. H. Con. Res. 108 — “Permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.”12:38:41 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 108Mr. Nugent asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.12:02:44 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.12:02:32 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Slaughter to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:02:12 P.M. -POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that she had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Miller (NC) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Miller (NC) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.12:00:16 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Carl Hickerson, Springfield Baptist Church, Washington, DC.12:00:09 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 21.11:21:54 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:00:43 A.M. -MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.10:00:14 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Renee L. Ellmers to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:03 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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